It was not exactly a banner day for David Krejci and the rest of the Bruins' first line yesterday.

In a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Krejci was a minus-3 while winning just 3-of-12 faceoffs. Meanwhile, the center's combination with wingers Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton did not apply the same kind of pressure as in the previous two games.

"David had a tough night in the faceoff circle, and I think that kind of identified the type of game he had (yesterday)," coach Claude Julien said. "And wasn't the type of game we're used to seeing David play."

Krejci took a big hit in the first period of Game 3 from the Lightning's Marc-Andre Bergeron, but was able to return to Thursday's game. He was one of a handful of players who didn't practice, but Julien said Friday he was fine and reiterated that after the game yesterday. He also said the entire burden for that line is not on Krejci's shoulders, as he pointed out the line had no shots on net after two periods (Horton and Lucic had one each in the third).

"There's more than David on that line," Julien said. "I think it was a tough night for their line. And we know what impact they have for a hockey club when they're on. And (yesterday) was a tough night for that line."